U.S. patent number 5,199,812 [Application Number 07/757,372] was granted by the patent office on 1993-04-06 for hydraulic fixed strut game.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army. Invention is credited to Byron K. McClellan.
United States Patent |
5,199,812 |
McClellan |
April 6, 1993 |
Hydraulic fixed strut game
Abstract
A movable dam gate hydraulically driven through a fixed strut to
maintain regulate a pool of water upstream of a dam, the present
gate structure is placed in series as a plurality of units to form
a desired length of movable dam. The dam gates of the invention are
operated from within a dry gallery which contains a single
hydraulic cylinder and associated electric motor-drive hydraulic
pump and oil reservoir for each gate. The dry gallery allows ready
inspection and maintenance of the hydraulic equipment and prevents
silting of the equipment such as occurs in prior art wet recesses
within which hydraulic cylinders and associated apparatus have been
previously operated. The present gate and gate system can be
operated remotely, thereby providing greater safety and convenience
to personnel.
Inventors: |
McClellan; Byron K. (Salem,
IN) |
Assignee: |
The United States of America as
represented by the Secretary of the Army (Washington,
DC)
|
Family
ID: |
25047572 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/757,372 |
Filed: |
September 10, 1991 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/101;
405/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02B
7/44 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E02B
7/44 (20060101); E02B 7/20 (20060101); E02B
007/42 () |
Field of
Search: |
;405/87,94,99,100,101,102 ;49/324,356 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Corbin; David H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Marsh; Luther A.
Government Interests
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST
The invention described and claimed herein may be manufactured and
used by or for the Government of the United States of America for
governmental purposes without the payment of royalties thereon or
therefor.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A movable dam gate system, comprising:
a sill disposed in a moving body of water, the sill having a dry
internal gallery chamber formed therein;
a wicket gate means mounted to an upper surface of the sill for
maintaining or regulating a pool of water within the body of
water;
hinge means attaching the wicket gate means to the sill for
providing a pivotal connection therebetween, the hinge means being
attached to the gate means and sill at upstream portions
thereof;
a movable strut mounted to the sill at a fixed angle thereto and
having a distal end movably connected to the wicket gate means,
said strut forming a watertight seal with said sill; and
hydraulic means disposed within the gallery chamber and comprising
an hydraulic cylinder and piston rod for lifting the wicket gate
means, the piston rod being connected to an anterior end of the
fixed strut, force for lifting the wicket gate means being
transmitted from the hydraulic means through the strut to the gate
means.
2. The system of claim 1 and further comprising:
control means a portion of which is disposed within the dry gallery
chamber and operatively connected to the hydraulic means and a
portion of which is disposed at a location exteriorly of the
gallery chamber for remotely controlling operation of the hydraulic
means and thus operation of the wicket gate means.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of the wicket gate
means are disposed in juxtaposed relation along upper surfaces of
the sill to form a movable dam, hydraulic means connected to each
of the wicket gate means being disposed within the dry gallery
chamber.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the hydraulic means further
comprise hydraulic pump and oil reservoir means disposed interiorly
of the dry gallery chamber and operatively connected to the
hydraulic cylinder.
5. The system of claim 1 and further comprising seal and bearing
means disposed in a bore formed in a portion of the sill for
mounting the strut at the fixed angle relative to the sill and
movably within the bore, the strut extending exteriorly of the dry
gallery chamber on extension of the piston rod to raise the wicket
gate means and extending interiorly of the dry gallery chamber on
withdrawal of the piston rod to lower the wicket gate means.
6. The system of claim 1 and further comprising guide means mounted
to the downstream wall of the wicket gate means for guiding the
distal end of the strut relative to the gate means on raising or
lowering of said gate means, the system further comprising guide
shoe means mounted to the distal end of the strut and being
received within the guide means for movementwithin the guide means,
thereby allowing the strut to remain at an angle fixed relative to
the sill on raising or lowering of said gate means.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the dry gallery chamber is at
least partially defined by a lower floor surface inclined at an
angle identical to the angle of the fixed strut, the hydraulic
cylinder being mounted to the lower floor surface with the
longitudinal axis of the cylinder being parallel to the surface of
the lower floor surface and aligned with the longitudinal axis of
the strut.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein in the lower floor surface
terminates upstream in an upper horizontal floor surface, portions
of the hydraulic means being mounted to the upper horizontal floor
surface.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the lower floor surface terminates
downstream in a lower horizontal floor surface, the lower
horizontal floor surface providing an area near the anterior end of
the hydraulic cylinder for access to said cylinder.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the lower horizontal floor
surface terminates downstream in an angled floor surface which is
parallel to the inclined lower floor surface, the anterior end of
the hydraulic cylinder resting against the angled floor
surface.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the upper horizontal floor
surface terminates upstream in a vertical wall, the vertical wall
terminating in an upper ceiling surface inclined at an angle such
that the longitudinal axes of the hydraulic cylinder and strut are
perpendicular to the upper ceiling surface, the upper ceiling
surface having a bore formed therein through which the strut is
sealingly received and mounted for movement along the longitudinal
axis thereof.
12. The system of claim 11 and further comprising seal and bearing
means disposed in the bore for mounting the strut at the fixed
angle relative to the sill and movably within the bore, the strut
extending exteriorly of the dry gallery chamber on extension of the
piston rod to raise the wicket gate means and extending interiorly
of the chamber on withdrawal of the piston rod to lower the gate
means, the seal and bearing means further sealing the bore to
maintain the gallery chamber in a dry condition.
13. A movable dam gate, comprising:
a sill having a dry internal gallery chamber;
a wicket gate hingedly mounted to the sill at the upstream end
thereof;
a strut mounted to the sill at a fixed angle thereto and having a
distal end movably connected into the gallery chamber through a
bore formed in the sill, said strut forming a watertight seal with
said bore; and
means connected to the anterior end of the strut and disposed
internally of the gallery chamber for moving the strut to raise or
lower the wicket gate.
14. The gate of claim 13 and further comprising means for sealing
the gallery chamber to maintain the chamber in a dry condition.
15. The gate of claim 14 wherein a plurality of the wicket gates
are disposed in juxtaposed relation along upper surfaces of the
sill and a plurality of the strut moving means are disposed within
the dry gallery chamber, one each of the strut moving means driving
one each of the wicket gates through one of a plurality of struts
one each of which connects each wicket gate to each strut moving
means.
16. The gate of claim 15 and further comprising control means a
portion of which is disposed within the dry gallerychamber and
operatively connected to the strut moving means and a portion of
which is disposed at a location exteriorly of the gallery chamber
for remotely controlling operation of the strut moving means and
thus the wicket gates.
17. The gate of claim 16 wherein the strut moving means each
comprise an hydraulic cylinder and piston rod, each piston rod
being connected to an anterior end of each strut, the longitudinal
axes of each hydraulic cylinder, piston rod and strut being
aligned, force for lifting each wicket gate being transmitted from
the hydraulic cylinder and piston rod through the strut to the
wicket gate.
18. The gate of claim 17 wherein the strut moving means further
comprise hydraulic pump and oil reservoir means operatively
connected to the hydraulic cylinder for driving said cylinder and
piston rod, the entirety of the strut moving means being disposed
within the gallery chamber in a dry condition.
19. The gate of claim 18 and further comprising guide means mounted
to the downstream wall of the wicket gate for guiding the distal
end of the strut relative to the guide means on raising and
lowering of said gate, and further comprising guide shoe means
mounted to the distal end of the strut and being received within
the guide means for movement within the guide means, thereby
allowing the strut to remain at an angle fixed relative to the sill
on raising or lowering of said gate.
20. The gate of claim 19 wherein the sealing means are disposed in
a bore formed in a portion of the sill and receiving the strut
therewithin at the fixed angle relative to the sill and movably
within the bore, the strut extending exteriorly of the dry gallery
chamber on extension of the piston rod to raise the wicket gate and
extending interiorly of the chamber on withdrawal of the piston rod
to lower the gate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to movable dam gates to forming a
movable dam and particularly to a wicket gate operated
hydraulically through a fixed strut.
2. Background of the Invention
Movable dam gates are common in the art and are utilized to
maintain or regulate a pool of water upstream of a dam, such dam
gates being raised to maintain maximum pool or lowered to pass
maximum flows. Movable dam gates are also utilized to provide a
navigable pass, gates adapted to this purpose often taking the form
of wicket gates. Wicket gates which are generally available in the
prior art must be lifted into position through utilization of a
hoist mounted on a boat or bridge, the hoisting procedures used
with such structure being slow and often unsafe. Hydraulically
lifted wicket gates of the prior art have been driven through
operating cylinders located in "wet" recesses. Hydraulic cylinders
located in wet recesses are also subject to a more severe
environment and are susceptible to sand and silt deposition on
operating surfaces. Accordingly, prior hydraulically lifted wicket
gates require maintenance and maintenance procedures must be
conducted either in a "wet" environment or in a box structure
within which the apparatus is dewatered. A need exists in the art
for a movable dam gate and particularly for dam gates of the wicket
type which are hydraulically operated both rapidly and safely.
Further, a long-felt need exists in the art for hydraulically
operated movable dam gates wherein the hydraulic apparatus
associated with the gate can be maintained within an environment
wherein siltation and other environmental factors do not require
frequent and extensive maintenance and whereby required maintenance
can be conducted within a dry environment without the need for
extensive dewatering procedures. The disadvantages inherent in the
prior art as noted above are obviated through a practice of the
present invention which provides hydraulically operated movable dam
gate structures operable both rapidly and safely and which require
less frequent maintenance with such maintenance as is required
taking place within a dry environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a movable wicket dam gate structure and a
gate system comprised of a plurality of the dam gate structures
arranged as a series of units placed side by side to form a desired
length of movable dam. The wicket gate structures of the invention
are hydraulically operated through a fixed strut which interfaces
with the downstream side of the gate structure by means of a guide
track formed in the gate structure which cooperates with a bearing
shoe or roller pivotally mounted to the distal end of the strut.
The strut connects to a piston rod of an hydraulic cylinder, the
hydraulic cylinder and associated hydraulic power unit and oil
reservoir being maintained within a dry gallery formed in a
concrete sill. Each of the wicket gate structures are hingedly
mounted to the concrete sill and are operated through extension of
the piston rod of each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders to
raise and lower the wicket gate structures or to hold said
structures in intermediate positions.
The dry gallery within which the hydraulic cylinders and associated
equipment are disposed allow rapid and easy access to the cylinders
and associated equipment such that maintenance can be readily
performed. Due to the fact that the cylinders and associated
equipment are maintained within a dry environment, maintenance is
less frequently required. The dry gallery further provides the
ability to remotely control the operation of the several cylinders
and thus the several wicket gate structures through the use of
either dedicated electronics or telemetry systems. The movable dam
thus formed by a series of the wicket gate structures can be
operated through a simple pushbutton at a remote location.
Operation of the movable dam and maintenance of the hydraulic
equipment held within the dry gallery can thus be conducted during
all river stages or weather conditions.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide
hydraulically operated wicket dam gate structures arrangeable in
series to form a movable dam and which are each operable through a
fixed strut extending into a dry gallery formed within a concrete
sill, each strut connecting with an associated hydraulic cylinder
and hydraulic drive apparatus to operate the wicket gate
structures.
Another object of the invention is to provide a movable dam formed
of wicket gate structures which are hydraulically driven by
hydraulic apparatus maintained within a dry environment formed
within a concrete sill, the hydraulic apparatus being usually
maintained within the dry environment.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a movable dam
formed of wicket gate structures wherein hydraulic apparatus
operating the wicket gate structures can be remotely controlled and
are disposed within a dry environment which is not subject to
siltation of the hydraulic apparatus.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become more
readily apparent in light of the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view in partial section of a series of
wicket dam gates arranged to provide a movable dam, each gate being
operable by associated hydraulic apparatus maintained within a dry
gallery formed in a concrete sill supporting said gate;
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating remote control of the hydraulic
apparatus within the dry gallery of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view in partial section of a wicket
gate configured according to the invention and shown at a position
capable of maintaining maximum pool;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view in partial section illustrating
lowering of a wicket dam gate according to the invention to a
45.degree. position;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view in partial section illustrating
lowering of a movable dam gate according to the invention to a
lowered position of approximately 15.degree. elevation;
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view in partial section of a movable
dam gate lowered to a zero degree elevation to provide or to
provide a navigable pass; and,
FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a detail of a connection
between a fixed strut and a wicket dam gate according to the
invention which allows a strut to be maintained at a fixed angle
relative to a concrete seal but with the angle between the strut
and the wicket gate varying according to the position of the wicket
gate.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, a movable
dam is seen generally at 10 to be comprised of a series of wicket
gates 12 movable between raised and lowered positions. Each of the
wicket gates 12 is moved by a strut 14 movable along a fixed axis
by means of hydraulic cylinder 16 and associated piston rod 18
which are disposed within dry gallery 20 of a concrete sill 22.
This structure being described relative to FIG. 1 can also be seen
in FIGS. 3 through 6 which illustrate the positions which the
wicket gates 12 can assume in operation. The series of wicket gates
12 as seen in FIG. 1 cooperate to provide the movable dam 10, the
gates 12 all being operable simultaneously or being singly operable
according to operational requirements.
Each of the wicket gates 12 is preferably formed of steel, main
structural members being structural steel tubes (not shown) running
vertically of each wicket gate 12. Outer surfaces of the wicket
gate 12 are formed of structural steel plate. Structures of this
nature are conventional in the art, the structural steel tubes
typically being laterally braced. As is also conventional in the
art, the gate 12 can be constructed of materials including, but not
limited to, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, wood, or either
reinforced concrete or prestressed concrete.
Each of the wicket gates 12 are pivotally connected to an upper
surface of the concrete sill 22 by means of a hinge 24 connected to
said gate 12 at the upstream end of the gate. The hinge 24 is
disposed immediately downstream of a pocket 26 formed in the upper
surface of the concrete sill 22, the pocket 26 accommodating the
hinged end of the gate 12 on pivotal movement of said gate 12 from
the zero elevation or fully lowered position. The gates 12 are thus
anchored to the concrete sill through the hinges 24. The wicket
gates 12 are disposed at spacings of approximately .+-.10'. Each
wicket gate 12 is caused to move as indicated above by means of the
strut 14. Each strut 14 is moved along a fixed axis extending
longitudinally of the strut 14 by the hydraulic cylinder 16 as
aforesaid, operation of the cylinder 14 to extend or retract the
piston rod 18 causing the strut 14 to move either outwardly of or
inwardly of the dry gallery 20. Accordingly, each of the wicket
gates 12 are raised and lowered by one of the hydraulic cylinders
16 located within the water tight dry gallery 20 located inside the
concrete sill 22. Each strut 14 maintains a fixed angle relative to
upper surfaces of the concrete sill 22, the longitudinal axis of
each of the struts 14 aligning with the longitudinal axis of the
piston rod 18 and also of the hydraulic cylinder 16. Accordingly,
the angle of the strut 14 relative to the wicket gate 12 must
change during raising and lowering, the mechanism which allows this
change of angle being schematically shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, a
guide track 28 is seen to be formed of structural steel angles or
plates such that an opening is provided for receipt of a shoe
mechanism 30 having a surface 32 which slides relative to opposing
surfaces of the gate 12. A stop plate 34 is provided at each end of
the guide track 28 to prevent movement beyond the fully raised
position and the fully lowered position which is predetermined for
the gate 12. The shoe mechanism is seen to be pivotally connected
to distal end 36 by means of a pivot pin 38 or other suitable
mechanism. The shoe mechanism 30 can alternatively take the form of
a shoe and roller mechanism (not shown).
The strut 14 supports the wicket gate 12 in all positions, the
strut being rigidly fixed at a 45.degree. angle to the horizontal
such that the strut 14 moves along an axis disposed at an angle of
45.degree. to the horizontal. The longitudinal axis of the strut 12
coincides with this 45.degree. axis. The strut is thus capable of
moving along this fixed axis through a bore 40 formed in the
concrete sill 22, the bore 40 communicating the dry gallery 20 with
the exterior of the concrete sill 22 at the locus of entry of said
strut 14 into said dry gallery 20. The strut 14 thus moves within
the bore 40 to extend outwardly of the dry gallery 20 to raise the
gate 12 or to move inwardly of the dry gallery 20 to lower the gate
12. A seal and bearing assembly 42 of substantially conventional
design can be located within the bore 40 in order to provide
bearing surfaces for movement of the structure 14 therewithin and
to seal the dry gallery 20 such that water cannot flow into said
gallery 20. Sealing and bearing structures conventionally available
in the art can constitute the seal and bearing assembly 42, it
therefore being unnecessary to describe this structure in detail.
The seal and bearing assembly 42 will comprise packing glands (not
shown) at the opening of the bore 40 on top slab surfaces of the
concrete sill 22, such packing glands being provided on both the
outside and inside faces thereof to prevent water from entering the
gallery 20 and to keep clean the rollers (not shown) or other
structure comprising portions of the seal and bearing assembly 42.
Packing glands such as are useful in this environment are
configured such that the glands may be cleaned or replaced as
maintenance requires. Additionally, a conditioner seal box (not
shown) which can be oil filled may be located on the external side
of the seal and bearing assembly 42 such that said conditioner seal
box can be easily removed and replaced and can thus provide
additional sealing function.
Interiorly of the dry gallery 20, the anterior end of the strut 14
joins to a distal end of the piston rod 18 by means of a connecting
collar 44. The connecting collar 44 can take the form of a
conventional connector such as is useful within the use environment
of the invention. It is preferred that the connecting collar 44 be
capable of rapid disconnection and removal at any position of the
gate 12 such that the structure can be "dogged off" so that the
cylinder 16 can be disconnected and removed for maintenance or
replacement. The connecting collar 44 can form a portion of a
shear, bolt-type connection (not shown in detail) such as is
conventional and such as would allow the strut 14 to telescope down
over the piston rod 18 if subjected to excessive external
loads.
Hydraulic power to the hydraulic cylinder 16 is provided by a
waterproof electric motor-driven hydraulic pump and oil reservoir
assembly 46 located in the dry gallery 20. The assembly 46 can take
the form cf conventional apparatus capable of driving the hydraulic
cylinder 16. Each of the hydraulic cylinders 16 are of required
capacity in stroke such that the wicket gates 12 can be readily
lifted. As is seen in FIG. 2, each hydraulic pump and oil reservoir
assembly 46 can be operated remotely through a control unit 48
which is connected to a control center 50 located remotely from the
gallery 20. Connection between the control center 50 and the
control unit 48 can be provided by a dedicated electrical line or
telemetry apparatus such as is conventional in the art but which is
not shown in the drawings. Accordingly, pushbutton control can be
provided in the control center 50 which typically takes the form of
a remote operations building. The wicket gates 12 can thus be
controlled remotely either individually or as groups forming a
movable dam such as the dam 10. Although not shown in the drawings,
apparatus can be provided within the dry gallery 20 for local
over-ride capability for each set of wicket gate 12, strut 14 and
hydraulic cylinder 16.
The dry gallery 20 is maintained in a dry condition so that damage
to the hydraulic cylinder 16 and assembly 46 can be prevented.
Maintaining the hydraulic cylinder 16 and associated assembly 46 in
a dry environment prevents damage to the hydraulic apparatus and
allows routine inspection and maintenance of the hydraulic
equipment. Accordingly, enhancement of the longevity of the various
components comprising each of the cylinders 16 and associated
assemblies 46 is realized. The apparatus located within the gallery
20 can be serviced and maintained during all river stages and
weather conditions and are immediately accessible without the need
for dewatering or other time consuming procedures by virtue of the
fact that the gallery is maintainedin a dry condition. Access to
the gallery 20 is therefore not delayed when maintenance and
servicing is required.
The hinged wicket gates 12 in a fully raised position will be
disposed at a 60.degree. angle, plus or minus, to the horizontal
and leaning in the downstream direction as is readily seen in FIG.
3. Retraction of the piston rod 18 of the cylinder 16 causes the
strut 14 to move interiorly of the gallery 20 to lower the gate 12
to an angle such as 45.degree. as seen in FIG. 4, 15.degree. as
seen in FIG. 5, or even a zero elevation as seen in FIG. 6. A
dogging device (not shown) can be provided at the top slab of the
sill 22 in order to lock the strut 14 in either the fully raised
position or in any desired position other than the fully raised
position. Dogging mechanisms include props either on the back of
the wicket gate 12 or latches located in the dry gallery 20. Such
dogging mechanisms are conventional and need not be shown in detail
herein. A suitable dogging mechanism can be provided by dogging
pins such as are generally shown at 52 and which extend through the
strut 14 and piston rod 18 to prevent relative movement
therebetween at a desired located. It should be understood,
however, that the hydraulic system represented by the hydraulic
cylinder 18 and the pump and oil reservoir assembly 46 can be
designed to support the wicket gate 12 in the fully-raised position
especially to accommodate emergency operation of the wicket
gates.
In operation, each of the struts 14 are subjected to both axial and
lateral forces due to the changing angle between said strut 14 and
the wicket gate 12. The strut 14 is configured to resist the
resulting axial load and moment imposed by these axial and lateral
forces. The moment will be at a maximum when the wicket gate 12 is
in the fully-raised position, that is, the 60.degree. position
illustrated in FIG. 3. This moment is resisted by the seal and
bearing assembly 42 located in the bore 40 in the top slab of the
concrete sill 22, the moment being transferred through the strut to
the assembly 42 and thus into the slab comprising the concrete sill
22. The hydraulic cylinder 16 can therefore be designed to resist
only the axial load of the strut 14.
The concrete sill 22 is preferably formed of reinforced concrete,
the width of the sill 22 being chosen for stability and to enable
the dry gallery 20 to be formed of a size sufficient to contain the
series of hydraulic cylinders 16 and assemblies 46. Gravity
drainage and sump pumps (not shown) can be provided as needed
within the gallery 20 to maintain the gallery 20 in a dry
condition. The arrangement of apparatus within the dry gallery 20
can be seen to be relatively simple and uncomplicated thus
providing open,easily accessible space around the cylinders 16 and
assemblies 46. In order to facilitate original installation as well
as maintenance and replacement of the cylinders 16, a bridge crane
54 is provided in horizontal ceiling 56 of the gallery 20.
Ventilation of the gallery 20 can be provided by ventilators 58
also disposed in the ceiling 56.
As can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 through 6, the ceiling 56
forms an angled ceiling portion 60 at the upstream end of said
gallery 20, the angled ceiling portion 60 defining a surface which
is parallel to a downstream angled slab surface 62 comprising a
surface portion of a V-shaped trough 64 formed in upper slab
surfaces of the sill 22. The bore 40 within which the strut 14
moves is formed normal to the angled ceiling portion 60 and the
downstream angle slab surface 62 of the trough 64 and extends
therethrough to receive the strut 14. The upstream angled slab
surface 66 of the trough 64 is disposed at anangle of45.degree. to
the horizontal in order that the strut 14 can move through the
trough 64. The angled ceiling portion 60 is also located at an
angle of 45.degree. to the horizontal. The trough 64 is preferably
provided with a flattened raceway 66 which can extend along the
length of the concrete sill 22 and which can extend upstream of the
trough 64 to communicate with the pocket 26, thereby forming a
depression into which the gate 12 fits on full lowering of the gate
12 as is seen in FIG. 6. A downstream notch 68 can also be provided
relative to the trough 64 in order to accommodate the distal end of
the gate 12 on full lowering thereof. It will be understood by
those of ordinary skill in the art that the upper slab surface of
the concrete sill 22 can be configured other than as described
herein in order to accommodate the gates 12 at the fully lowered
position as well as those positions between and including the fully
raised position.
The gallery 20 is further seen to comprise parallel side walls 70
and 72, the side wall 70 extending vertically downwardly from the
termination of the angled ceiling portion 60 while the side wall 72
extends vertically down from the ceiling 56 at the end thereof
opposite the angled ceiling portion 60. The side wall 70 terminates
and extends horizontally to form an upper floor 74, the upper floor
74 terminating to form an angled floor 76, the angle of the floor
76 being 45.degree. . The hydraulic cylinders 16 are mounted to the
floor 76 and parallel thereto, thereby providing alignment between
the longitudinal axes of the hydraulic cylinders 16, piston rods 18
and struts 14. A lower floor 78 terminates the angled floor 76 near
the downstream end of the hydraulic cylinders 16 to provide a
horizontal surface for maintenance of at least certain portions of
the cylinders 16. The lower floor 78 is bounded by an angled
downstream floor 80 which merges into the vertical side walls 72,
thereby completing the shape of the dry gallery 20. The geometrical
shape of the dry gallery 20 as is seen in section in the drawings
allows an advantageous arrangement of the cylinders 16 and of the
assemblies 46 as well as other apparatus located within the gallery
20. The volume thus provided by the shape of the dry gallery allows
easy access to the apparatus within the gallery. It can further be
seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 through 6 that the concrete sill 22 is held
in place on a river bed by means of conventional anchors 82.
It is to be understood that the invention can be practiced other
than as explicitly shown and described herein, the scope of the
invention being defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *